Architect of White House Ballroom Chosen for Project Review Commission

James McCrery, the architect selected by former President Trump for the White House ballroom project, has been appointed to a commission reviewing this very project. This announcement was made in a court filing on Thursday, detailing Trump’s appointments to the Commission of Fine Arts.

Commission Review of White House Ballroom Project

McCrery is no stranger to this commission, having served from 2019 to 2024. His new role comes alongside other notable appointees, including Mary Anne Carter, chairwoman of the National Endowment for the Arts, conservative writer Roger Kimball, and Matthew Taylor from Washington, D.C.

Lawsuit and Project Delays

The appointment coincides with a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This lawsuit aims to delay the East Wing construction until reviews by the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) are completed, along with Congressional approval.

In a significant move, Trump dismissed six members of the Commission of Fine Arts last October, reshaping its leadership. This reshuffle has drawn attention to the handling of the White House ballroom project.

Financial Aspects of the Project

Details emerging from the court filings have brought to light the $400 million financial scope of the project. On November 13, the National Park Service accepted a donation, likely sourced from a nonprofit aimed at gathering funds for the ballroom. This money has been directed to the Executive Residence at the White House, which is managing the project.

• Executive Residence is responsible for the project management.
• McCrery Architects, founded by James McCrery, played a role in the initial design.
• Day-to-day management includes overseeing scope, schedule, budget, design, and completion.

Jessica Bowron, acting director of the National Park Service, stated that this approach aligns with the best interests of the United States.

Timeline and Future Steps

A timeline for the ballroom project approvals has emerged. The Trump administration aimed to brief the Commission of Fine Arts this week. However, this presentation has been postponed to next week. The goal is to finalize the review process by March 19.

Key dates include:

As of now, any above-ground construction of the East Wing is not expected to commence until at least April. With both commissions typically requiring months or years for final approvals, the timeline for the White House ballroom project remains uncertain.